NFU-O asks OMAFRA and MNR for Answers and a Plan for Rabies Cases

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NFU-O asks OMAFRA and MNR for Answers and a Plan for Rabies Cases

On March 29, 2017, Posted by Sarah Bakker, In Press Release, With Comments Off on NFU-O asks OMAFRA and MNR for Answers and a Plan for Rabies Cases

In a letter to Minister Leal of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs and cc’d to Minster of Natural Resources, Kathryn McGarry, the NFU-O raised concerns regarding the recent rabies cases seen in Huron and Perth County.

“One infected animal is too many,” said Martin Boettcher, livestock farmer and NFU-O Board member. “Farmers work closely with their pets and livestock, so it’s only a matter of time until someone contracts this terrible life threatening disease.”

The NFU-O asked what steps the province is taking to reduce the incidents of rabies. “We need fully funded bait inoculation programs,” commented Emery Huszka, NFU-O President. “Rural residents also need to know what to look for, and they need resources to help educate and keep their children safe.”

The NFU-O also called for a report investigating the root causes behind the outbreak, including looking into whether budget cuts have affected wild animal baiting programs; whether the disease is moving in on unchecked transport trucks from other regions; or if the disease has been imported with out of province livestock.

The NFU-O works towards the development of economic and social policies that will maintain small and medium sized family farms as the primary food-producers in Ontario and in Canada. The NFU-O believes that agriculture should be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and should lead to enriched soils, biodiverse natural ecosystems, financially-viable farms, high quality, healthy and safe food for people, thriving rural communities, and a more beautiful countryside.